Criterion Games Co-Founders Leave Studio

Two of the founders of Criterion Games, best known for the Burnout and Need for Speed series, have left the studio.

Polygon reports that co-founders Alex Ward, vice president and creative director of Criterion Games, and Fiona Sperry, studio director, have both departed the developer. VG247 reached out to Ward to be told that the duo were now planning to form a new games company.

"Alex Ward and Fiona Sperry have decided to leave EA," an EA spokesperson told Polygon. "We appreciate their many contributions through the years and wish them well in their future endeavours.

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The incredibly creative and talented team at Criterion are hard at work on a new project for next-gen consoles as new IP continues to be a major priority across EA.

"The incredibly creative and talented team at Criterion are hard at work on a new project for next-gen consoles as new IP continues to be a major priority across EA. Matt Webster is leading development of the new game and the Criterion studio moving forward. Matt has been part of Criterion for years and has an exciting vision for this new game."

Ward and Sperry's LinkedIn profiles reveals Criterion is working on an unannounced title called "Project Zero". When this will see the light of day remains uncertain but, when it does, it'll be without further input from the studio co-founders.

Luke Karmali is IGN's UK Junior Editor. You too can revel in mediocrity by following him on Twitter.